Black History Month 2026 Teaching Resources
Get ready for Black History Month 2026 with hundreds of printables, worksheets, digital activities and more ways to bring the stories of Black Americans alive in your classroom this February.
This collection of Black History teaching resources was created by the teacher team at Teach Starter, with printable and digital options that have been designed to meet Common Core and state standards. The majority include editable options so you can easily differentiate them for your students, and each one has been reviewed by a member of our teaching team to ensure they're classroom-ready — so you can save time on your lesson planning.
Teaching about Black History for the first time this February, or simply looking for fresh ideas to bring this topic to life in the classroom? Explore some tips from our teachers, including a look at the theme for the 100th celebration of Black History in the US and some important historical information about the month to anwer students' questions.
When Is Black History Month?
Black History Month is officially marked in February every year. In 2026, the month will be marked from February 1 to February 28.
What Is the Theme for Black History Month 2026?
Each year, the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History (ASALH) chooses the theme for Black History Month. In 2026, that theme is A Century of Black History Commemorations because — as the ASALH explains:
"For its 100th theme, the Founders of Black History Month urges us to explore the impact and meaning of Black history and life commemorations in transforming the status of Black peoples in the modern world."
Black History Month Activity Ideas for Teachers
Some ideas to approach the theme in the classroom this year include:
- Create a Century of Commemoration Timeline. Explore how Black history has been recognized and celebrated over the last 100 years by creating a simple class timeline. Students examine how commemorations have grown from small community efforts to nationwide observances.
- From One Week to One Month. Learn how Black History Month began as a single week and expanded into a month-long celebration. Students compare early Black history commemorations with how Black history is honored today.
- Explore Ways We Celebrate Black History. Investigate the many ways Black history is commemorated, including art, music, storytelling, parades, and school events. Students reflect on how these celebrations help preserve important stories and voices.
- Whose Stories Are Remembered? Encourage students to think about whose voices have been highlighted throughout a century of Black history commemorations. Students identify individuals they believe should be remembered and explain why their stories matter.
- How Our School Commemorates Black History. Invite students to explore how Black History Month is recognized within their own school community. Students contribute artwork, reflections, or ideas to a shared display showing how remembrance continues today.
- Continuing the Next 100 Years. Challenge students to consider how they can help carry Black history commemorations into the future. Students share ideas for honoring Black voices and achievements beyond February.

Who Started Black History Month?
If you're looking to teach students the background of Black History Month itself, you'll need to start with Carter G. Woodson.
Known as the father of Black History Month, Woodson was a historian and author whose establishment of Negro History Week in 1926 paved the way for the federal declaration of February as Black History Month some 50 years later.
The founder of the ASALH — which today determines the theme for each Black History Month — Woodsen never meant for the study of Black history to be limited to just a week, or even just a month.
Woodsen’s work until his death in 1950 and the work of the ASALH since has been to promote the “year-round and year-after-year study of African American history.”
When Did Black History Month Start?
Although Woodson laid the groundwork in the 1920s, Black History Month would not officially start until 1976 when President Gerald Ford became the first president to declare February as Black History Month.
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Black History Profile: Barack Obama - Comprehension Worksheet
Review our profile on the first African American President of the United States, and answer questions to reinforce understanding.
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Directed Drawing Worksheet
Bring a bit of art into the classroom this MLK Day with a “How to Draw a Martin Luther King, Jr.” directed drawing worksheet.
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MLK Art - Coloring Activity
Celebrate MLK Day in the classroom and engage your students creating colorful patterns with a Martin Luther King, Jr. art activity sheet.
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Black History Profile: Shirley Chisholm - Comprehension Worksheet
Review our profile on Congresswoman and first Black presidential candidate Shirley Chisholm, and answer questions to reinforce understanding.
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MLK Character Traits Graphic Organizer
Use our graphic organizer with your students when studying Martin Luther King, Jr.’s notable mental and moral qualities.
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Character Development – Fakebook Page Worksheet
Use research and creative writing skills to design a social media profile for fiction or nonfiction persons.
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Diversity is our Strength Poster
Display this ''diversity is our strength' poster in your classroom as a reminder of unity and inclusion.
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Influential Black Leaders - Research Project
Help your students learn about and recognize some of the most influential Black leaders in history with Black History Month Research Project.
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George Washington Carver Activity Pack
Learn about the life and contributions of George Washington Carver with a comprehensive pack of biographical worksheets.
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Timeline of the Civil Rights Movement Worksheet
Craft an chronological timeline for students to visually model the events occurring during the Civil Rights Movement.
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Harriet Tubman Comprehension Worksheet
Uncover facts about Harriet Tubman with a Reading Passage and Comprehension worksheet.
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Black History Profile Poster Pack for the Classroom
Print a Black History poster pack for the classroom, to introduce your students to revered Black icons and the impacts their contributions have made to American history.
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Historical Heroes - Harriet Tubman Worksheets
Learn about the life and contributions of Harriet Tubman with a comprehensive pack of Women’s History Month worksheets.
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Who Was George Washington Carver? Printable Mini Book
Learn about the life and contributions of George Washington Carver with a printable mini-book filled with facts and activities for early readers.
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Read Along Pocket Chart Cards - Rosa Parks
Read and learn about Rosa Parks with printable pocket chart cards.
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Martin Luther King, Jr. "I Have a Dream" Hat Template
Get crafty and celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy with a printable hat craft.
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MLK Day Coloring Bookmarks
Bring calm to the classroom and celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. with a set of printable bookmarks to color.
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Segregation and the Civil Rights Movement Instructional Slide Deck
Travel into the past and take your students along to discover the long road to the desegregation of schools in the United States.
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Influential Black Leaders InstaFan Profile Template
Demonstrate learning about the most influential black leaders in history with an engaging social media biography template.
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Influential Black Leaders - Instagram Post Template
Demonstrate learning about the most influential Black leaders in history with an engaging social media template.
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Influential Black Leaders Research Organizers
Dive into a research project on influential Black leaders with a set of Historical Figure graphic organizers.
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Black History Month – Teaching Presentation
Introduce your students to the origins of Black History Month with this 13-slide PowerPoint presentation.
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Read Along Pocket Chart Cards – Black History Month
Use this set of Black History Month text and image pocket chart cards for reading and history lessons.
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Innovative Inventors - Comprehension Worksheet
Meet famous Black History Month figures with this informational text and comprehension questions activity.
- Black History Month 2026 Worksheets
- Black History Month 2026 Templates
- Black History Month 2026 Instructional Slide Decks
- Black History Month 2026 Coloring Pages
- Black History Month 2026 Graphic Organizers
- Black History Month 2026 Mini Book
- Black History Month 2026 Cut and Paste Worksheets
- Black History Month 2026 Brochure Templates
- Black History Month 2026 Writing Templates
- Black History Month 2026 Bookmarks
- Black History Month 2026 Bulletin Board Displays
- Black History Month 2026 Posters
- Black History Month 2026 Labels Signs Decorations
- Black History Month 2026 Word Walls
- Black History Month 2026 Puzzles
- Black History Month 2026 Projects
- Black History Month 2026 Craft Activities
- Black History Month 2026 Games
- Black History Month 2026 Task Cards
- Black History Month 2026 Crossword Puzzles
- Black History Month 2026 Matchup Games
- Black History Month 2026 Flipbooks
- Black History Month 2026 for Pre-K
- Black History Month 2026 for Kindergarten
- Black History Month 2026 for 1st Grade
- Black History Month 2026 for 2nd Grade
- Black History Month 2026 for 3rd Grade
- Black History Month 2026 for 4th Grade
- Black History Month 2026 for 5th Grade
- Black History Month 2026 for 6th Grade
- Black History Month 2026 for 7th Grade